4 weeks into the 2024-25 season, the Cleveland Cavaliers nonetheless haven’t misplaced a basketball sport. They refuse to lose, and it’s set them up for an epic NBA Cup showdown Tuesday evening. De’Aaron Fox is on a historic scoring run, and the NBA Cup already has some groups on the verge of lacking out on a Las Vegas journey subsequent month. There’s lots to dive into, particularly with the NBA Inventory Report. Let’s get to it.
Right here’s your newest NBA Rewind!
Inventory Report prolonged
Are the Cavaliers so good that they couldn’t presumably nonetheless pattern upward on the NBA Inventory Report? Completely not! They’re nonetheless proving themselves and exhibiting individuals they’re for actual. Whether or not we determine to purchase in or not, the Cavs are nonetheless rolling and nonetheless taking pictures up the NBA Inventory Market. As we head into Week 4 of the Inventory Report, we’ve bought the groups and gamers trending in the precise and incorrect instructions.
📈 Cleveland Cavaliers (15-0): Solely three different groups in NBA historical past (the 2015-16 Golden State Warriors, 1993-94 Houston Rockets, 1948-49 Washington Capitols) have began 15-0 to start a season. All three of these groups made the finals, and the Rockets gained the championship. The Cavs are nonetheless ready for common acceptance, however their offense and protection have been elite. They’re 0.1 factors per 100 possessions behind final season’s Boston Celtics for probably the most environment friendly offense in NBA historical past. Their 41.9 p.c taking pictures from 3-point vary could be one of the best season for a staff in NBA historical past, outdoors of the 1996-997 Charlotte Hornets, who made 42.8 p.c of their 3-pointers with the road moved in to 22 ft throughout. The 2015-16 Warriors maintain the file at 41.6 p.c for a complete season with the grownup 3-point line. Solely two different groups (2010 Phoenix Suns and 2021 LA Clippers) have made at the least 41 p.c of their 3-pointers in a complete season (minimal 500 makes an attempt).
📉 Phoenix Suns (9-5): Issues haven’t been one of the best since Kevin Durant went down together with his calf pressure damage. KD has missed the final 5 video games, and the Suns are 1-4 in them. Bradley Beal has missed the final three video games (additionally with a calf), they usually’re 0-3 in these video games. The Suns have been tied with the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder, and the Warriors at 9-2 for one of the best file within the West. Since then, the KD damage has actually dropped them again right down to earth. Devin Booker simply dropped 44 in Minneapolis to attempt to snap them out of it, however that was ruined by Julius Randle’s game-winner on Sunday.
JULIUS RANDLE ENDS IT 🚨🚨
ICE. COLD. 🥶#TissotBuzzerBeater #YourTimeDefinesYourGreatness pic.twitter.com/bn1S9g4ILD
— NBA (@NBA) November 17, 2024
Fortunately for the Suns, they’ve a six-game homestand beginning on Monday. Nonetheless, these six video games embody Orlando, New York, the Lakers, Brooklyn, Golden State and San Antonio. Get properly quickly, KD!
📈 Houston Rockets (10-4): 5 straight wins for the Rockets by a grand complete of 82 factors, together with a 143-107 thumping of the Chicago Bulls on Sunday. That’s an excellent streak and a few good dominance over the Pistons (simply by two factors), Wizards, Clippers (twice) and the Bulls. Houston is fifth in web score on the season, has a top-11 offense and sits prime three in protection. You’ll be able to’t even level to only one man carrying the Rockets throughout this time. They’re getting contributions from everyone, because the protection clamps down on its competitors every evening. Ime Udoka has them rolling in Yr 2.
📉 Philadelphia 76ers (2-10): Effectively … Joel Embiid has been again for 2 of the final three video games, and the outcomes are nonetheless the identical. You’ll be able to’t simply blame Embiid. He’s nonetheless working his method into sport form, and the Sixers are nonetheless lacking Tyrese Maxey. Additionally, the 76ers sat Embiid and Paul George within the second of these three video games. Outdoors of free-throw taking pictures, Embiid is off to a sluggish begin. Embiid has scored 33 factors on 7-of-26 taking pictures from the sphere and a 1-of-10 mark from 3-point vary. Nonetheless, he’s 18-of-18 on free throws. They’ve had so many guys (and stars) out of the lineup. You’ll be able to clarify sluggish begins with loads of examples, they usually do have the intense spot of rookie Jared McCain’s play as of late. Nonetheless, they shouldn’t be tied with the Washington Wizards.
📈 Orlando Magic (8-6): Shortly after Paolo Banchero went down together with his indirect damage, the Magic misplaced 4 straight video games. Since then? They’ve discovered their groove. The Magic are third within the East with a five-game profitable streak. They haven’t allowed greater than 94 factors in these 5 video games, and three of these opponents haven’t even cracked 90 factors. They’ve gained by a grand complete of 95 factors in these 5 video games. Franz Wagner is enjoying just like the man they paid him to be, averaging 28.4 factors per sport on this stretch. I don’t know if they will hold this up, however Paolo Banchero’s return isn’t so desperately wanted proper now.
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‘We have made enormous strides’: How the Orlando Magic are surviving with out Paolo Banchero
📉 Luka Dončić: The Dallas Mavericks star is off to a very sluggish begin this season. It’s wild to say somebody averaging 28.2 factors, 7.8 rebounds and seven.8 assists is off to a very sluggish begin. That’s how absurdly excessive Dončić has set the bar for himself. Whereas he hasn’t been dangerous, he hasn’t been persistently nice both. The Mavericks are off to a 7-7 begin, they usually simply gained a sport in OKC with out Dončić enjoying. They usually gained a clutch sport in opposition to OKC at that, which introduced them as much as 2-6 in clutch video games this season. Dončić’s protection has been brutal, and he’s solely making 42.5 p.c of his photographs and 32.1 p.c of his 3-pointers. He’ll get it going, however having a begin like this might hold him from profitable MVP by season’s finish.
📈 Detroit Pistons (7-8): We centered a lot on their historic ineptitude final season that it’s solely truthful to have a good time the strong begin we see from them to date. They have already got seven wins and may very well be .500 in the event that they beat Chicago at dwelling tonight. Detroit didn’t win its seventh sport till Feb. 7 final season. A record-setting 28-game dropping streak will typically delay one thing like that. The Pistons haven’t been .500 or higher 16 video games into the season since November 2018, after they began 13-7. J.B. Bickerstaff has this principally younger staff enjoying protection, identical to he had in Cleveland. They nonetheless can’t rating persistently, however the Pistons are sixth in defensive score.
GO DEEPER
Cade Cunningham, protection are distinction as Pistons enhance to 2-0 in NBA Cup
Huge Story: De’Aaron Fox simply made historical past
The Sacramento Kings truly wanted extra from De’Aaron Fox of their back-to-back video games Friday and Saturday evening. They hosted the Minnesota Timberwolves and Utah Jazz. And Fox scored solely 109 factors in these two video games. He had 60 in a 130-126 extra time loss to the Wolves, then got here proper again the subsequent evening with 49 in a 121-117 regulation win over the Jazz. To go 1-1 in these video games is nothing to be shameful about. They practically beat the Wolves with out DeMar DeRozan (again) or Malik Monk (ankle) enjoying. Then, in opposition to the Jazz, Domantas Sabonis (again) joined DeRozan and Monk on the bench in road garments. Perhaps all of them simply wished a entrance row view for what Fox was doing in these two video games.
Towards Minnesota, Fox had 60 on 22-of-35 taking pictures from the sphere, hitting 6-of-10 from deep and 10-of-11 from the free-throw line. He had 20 within the fourth quarter to erase a 16-point deficit and pressure extra time. Fox had six in extra time, however Anthony Edwards spoiled his evening. It was the best particular person scoring sport in Kings historical past, surpassing Jack Twyman’s 59-point outing for the Cincinnati Royals in 1960. The Sacramento-era file was 56 factors by DeMarcus Cousins in 2016. I used to be on the Chris Webber sport in 2001 when he set the Sacramento file with 51 in an extra time loss to the Indiana Pacers. Sorry for game-dropping that one.
Within the win over the Jazz the subsequent evening, Fox scored 49 factors on 16-of-30 from the sphere, 3-of-4 from deep and 14-of-19 from the road. He truly ought to’ve cracked 50 factors in that sport, however by some means missed 4 free throws within the fourth and three within the ultimate couple minutes. That’s 109 complete factors over two video games on 38-of-65 (58.4 p.c) from the sphere, 9-of-14 (64.2 p.c) and 24-of-30 (80 p.c) from the charity stripe. That’s a 69.7 true taking pictures proportion! That is what shot charts for 109 factors over back-to-back video games appear like.
Fox clearly shot properly. You’ll be able to’t go for 109 in a back-to-back with out doing that. To me, probably the most spectacular half was taking what the protection gave him and making them pay for it. He was 20-of-32 on paint photographs outdoors of the restricted space. Fox is among the greatest in that no man’s land, the place photographs are lots more durable than you assume. He has top-of-the-line pull-up jumpers and float video games in that space, and he confirmed it off.
Within the final 50 years, this was the second-most factors scored in a back-to-back. Kobe Bryant totaled 110 factors in March 2007, when he went for 60 and 50 over consecutive nights — in wins over the Grizzlies and Hornets. That was a part of a four-game stretch with Kobe going for 65, 50, 60 after which 50, however the 110 on a back-to-back is the trendy file. So, why did we restrict this to the final half century? As a result of Wilt Chamberlain had at the least 109 factors in back-to-backs 15 totally different occasions in his profession. Fifteen! He did it 10 occasions within the 1961-62 season alone. He had a back-to-back with 78 factors and 61 factors. Essentially the most outlandish factor about that one? They really performed a back-to-back-to-back, and he had 55 on the third straight evening. I assume he ran out of steam.
Fox’s 60-point loss made me marvel how typically somebody goes for that many factors and doesn’t come out with the victory. Let’s break it up by high-scoring video games.
- 50-point video games (together with playoffs): NBA gamers are 485-177. That’s a 73.2 p.c win charge.
- 60-point video games (together with playoffs): NBA gamers are 66-26. That’s a 71.7 p.c win charge.
- 70-point video games (together with playoffs): NBA gamers are 10-5. That’s a 66.7 p.c win charge.
- 80-point video games (together with playoffs): NBA gamers are 2-0. That’s a 100% win charge.
- 100-point video games (together with playoffs): NBA gamers are 1-0. That’s a 100% win charge.
The final three gamers to attain at the least 60 in a sport have all misplaced. Fox on Friday, after which Jalen Brunson and Steph Curry final season. 5 of the 26 losses when a participant scores at the least 60 have occurred on this calendar 12 months, including Devin Booker and Karl-Anthony Cities to the combination in January. I’ll remind you that Dončić scored 73 on the identical evening (not the identical sport) that Booker had 62, and Embiid had 70 on the evening Cities misplaced scoring 62 (not the identical sport). Earlier than that, 60-point scorers have been on an eight-game profitable streak.
My recommendation? Both drop 50 or drop 70. That 60 zone has been robust luck currently.
The Week Forward: The NBA Cupdate
The subsequent few weeks are giving us some unbelievable NBA Cup moments each Tuesday and Friday. So, let’s use this area to replace what every group within the East and West are wanting like, simply in case you’re nonetheless somewhat confused by this comparatively new ordeal. Reminder: Every group consists of 5 groups, and they’ll all play 4 video games in group play. The winner of every group strikes on to single-elimination for the NBA Cup, together with one wild card from every convention (primarily based on file and level differential as the highest two tiebreakers).
East Group A
Driver’s seat: Orlando Magic (2-0, plus-37), New York Knicks (2-0, plus-14)
Lingering: Brooklyn Nets (0-1, minus-2), Charlotte Hornets (0-1, minus-25)
You’re principally out: Philadelphia 76ers (0-2, minus-24)
What’s occurring with this group? The Magic are in one of the best place to maneuver on to the single-elimination portion. They’ve the biggest level differential of anyone to date, and simply must win considered one of their ultimate two video games with out getting blown out in a possible loss to advance. Charlotte in all probability must be “principally out,” besides it might run the desk to win the group if the Magic loses their ultimate two video games.
Video games this week: Hornets at Nets on Tuesday | Nets at 76ers on Friday
Might Cade Cunningham and the Pistons win their NBA Cup group? (Geoff Burke / Imagn Pictures)
East Group B
Driver’s seat: Detroit Pistons (2-0, plus-4)
Lingering: Milwaukee Bucks (1-0, plus-14), Miami Warmth (1-1, plus-11), Indiana (0-1, minus-13)
You’re principally out: Toronto Raptors (0-2, minus-18)
What’s occurring with this group? That’s proper! The Pistons can’t be stopped! They gained two shut video games over Miami and Toronto. If they will beat Milwaukee, they could simply win this group. They simply want somewhat assist from considered one of Indiana’s opponents to present them a second loss. Miami, Milwaukee and Indiana basically must run the desk so as to win the group, however Miami would wish Detroit to lose its remaining two video games.
Video games this week: Pacers at Bucks on Friday
East Group C
Driver’s seat: Atlanta Hawks (2-0, plus-13)
Lingering: Cleveland Cavaliers (1-0, plus-18), Boston Celtics (0-1, minus-1)
You’re principally out: Washington Wizards (0-1, minus-12), Chicago Bulls (0-1, minus-18)
What’s occurring with this group? I’m simply as shocked as you’re that the Hawks are main this group. Particularly since their win over Boston had Trae Younger out injured. The Cavs will face Boston on Tuesday and decide whether or not or not the Celtics nonetheless have an opportunity to advance. I’m being harsh on the Bulls and Wizards, however a double-digit loss out of the gates does damage you fairly a bit.
Video games this week: Cavs at Celtics on Tuesday | Celtics at Wizards on Friday | Hawks at Bulls on Friday
West Group A
Driver’s seat: Houston Rockets (1-0, plus-21), Portland Path Blazers (1-0, plus-14)
Lingering: Minnesota Timberwolves (1-1, minus-10), Sacramento Kings (0-1, minus-4)
You’re principally out: LA Clippers (0-1, minus-21)
What’s occurring with this group? Every part is so up within the air with this group, regardless of the standings. Solely the Wolves have performed two video games, however they did beat Sacramento in considered one of them. If Portland loses twice and Minnesota wins out, the Wolves will take the group. If Sacramento wins out and Minnesota loses a sport, the Kings will take the group. Houston has set itself as much as compete for at the least the wild card, if not profitable the entire group.
Video games this week: Blazers at Rockets on Friday | Kings at Clippers on Friday
West Group B
Driver’s seat: Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder (1-0, plus-16), Los Angeles Lakers (1-0, plus-5)
Lingering: Phoenix Suns (1-1, minus-8), San Antonio Spurs (0-1, minus-5), Utah Jazz (0-1, minus-8)
You’re principally out: Nobody… but!
What’s occurring with this group? We all know the Lakers have been right here earlier than, they usually really feel very comfy in how they strategy this format. The Chet Holmgren damage might complicate issues for the Thunder, although they began with an enormous win over the Suns. The groups lingering must run the desk and get some assist to advance.
Video games this week: Thunder at Spurs on Tuesday | Jazz at Lakers on Tuesday
West Group C
Driver’s seat: Golden State Warriors (2-0, plus-8)
Lingering: New Orleans Pelicans (1-0, plus-7), Dallas Maverick (0-1, minus-3), Memphis Grizzlies (0-1, minus-5), Denver Nuggets (0-1, minus-7)
You’re principally out: Nobody … but!
What’s occurring with this group? The Warriors are in nice form to advance, however they could need to get a blowout win to assist their possibilities. In the event that they blow out the Pelicans on Friday, they’ll in all probability win the group. Except Denver will get Nikola Jokić again they usually simply go off. They Nuggets would nonetheless want New Orleans to lose twice, although.
Video games this week: Nuggets at Grizzlies on Tuesday | Pelicans at Mavs on Tuesday | Warriors at Pelicans on Friday | Mavs at Nuggets on Friday
(Prime picture of De’Aaron Fox: Lachlan Cunningham / Getty Pictures)
